Are parents completely overwhelmed by social media?

For several weeks, a new trend has emerged on Tik Tok… And it is already causing a problem. This disturbing trend is that of children and adolescents “Beauty TikTokers”also known as “Sephora Kids” (even though the cosmetics brand strongly contraindicates it). As the name suggests, these are children and pre-adolescent girls who put on make-up and use cosmetic products intended for adults, when they are between the ages of 7 and 14. All by filming themselves in the style of current beauty influencers and publishing their videos on Tik Tok. On the social network, the hashtags #SephoraKids and #KidsatSephora now have more than 500 million views.

In the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Guatemala, Switzerland and even France, this phenomenon has exploded across the four corners of the globe. Makeup and cosmetics stores are being taken over by a growing number of kids (because, yes, they are kids), who are roaming (and robbing) the shelves, totally hysterical, their hands full of the latest beauty products. vogue. Among them, the self-tanner from Drunk Elephant or the peel from The Ordinary, but also a whole bunch of anti-aging creams, anti-acne serums or masks, concealers, lotions and exfoliants, foundations foundation, lipsticks and other eyeliners.

What are the dangers of the “Sephora Kids” trend?

The problem is that a large majority of these cosmetics contain ingredients such as collagen, retinol, AHA or even hyaluronic acid. Designed for adult skin, they are not at all suitable for children’s skin. Several dermatologists and cosmetics experts warn of the dangers of early use of these products.

Considered too aggressive for young people, they can cause severe skin reactions (irritation, burns, infections, etc.) and damage to the skin barrier. “When we are young, like early adolescence, the outer layer of our skin is thinner, which means it is not as resilient and the introduction of products can irritate it”confirms to ABC News chemist Michelle Wong.

“Everything is done with the help of parents”

Faced with the scale of this trend, a question arises: What are the parents doing ? As Stéphanie Deparis Dusautois, clinical psychologist, explains to us, it is rather obvious that “all this is done with their help”. “For creating an account, purchasing products or even assembly, children need an adult”she believes.

But then how can we explain the encouragement and participation of parents in such a phenomenon? Are they aware of the risks to which their children are exposed? Are they naive or simply overwhelmed?

A family activity like any other?

According to our expert, two reasons can explain such parental involvement. First of all, “many see it as a moment of bonding with their offspring”. Go buy the products, test them, film yourself, choose the best shots, edit and share on social networks… All these steps are done together, as you could do with a good friend (but at 32).

“Usually the relationship between parent and child is vertical. The adult educates, sets limits and knows. But sometimes, social movements push the relationship and complicity to become horizontal, equal to equal”she analyzes. “We then play in a complicit, light and fun way with image phenomena (clothes, makeup, etc.)”she continues. “It has become a family activity like any other”.

On the other hand, it is also “something very personal for parents”. “Unconsciously, participating in their children’s exposure in this way feeds their own narcissism”, indicates Stéphanie Deparis Dusautois. They find through them “a good way to exist” And “a certain glory that they themselves did not succeed in achieving”. “There is an instrumentalization of the child to shine oneself”specifies the psychologist.

Non-consensual exposure and sexualization

Unfortunately, in either case, this trend is harmful and dangerous (and not just for the skin). Using beauty products and makeup can be fun for children (who never tried their mom’s lipstick and nail polish when they were little), but it’s no longer so when “it comes out of the house”she warns.

Filming your offspring and broadcasting the content on social networks, or in the public sphere, causes unwanted exposure and sexualization. “At this age, children cannot give consent. They only want to be in imitation of their parents”, she says. Above all, beyond the risks of the Internet, this practice has a significant impact on the mental health, psyche and development of very young people.

“We make them mini screen stars”

“Parents may not understand the narcissistic issues for the child”, also explains Stéphanie Deparis Dusautois. Overexposing them on the Internet, especially when they are covered in cosmetic products supposed to make them more beautiful, only “reinforce this megalomaniac and egocentric side of childhood” at a time when he must, on the contrary, “to be framed”.

“We make them mini screen stars who exist through a character created especially to show themselves on social networks” whereas at this age, priority should be given to education and the deepening of their relationships with others. “But it’s the image of our society”, notes the expert. The parents are “kind of groupies” imitating “a phenomenon found among families of influencers like the Kardashians or the Correiras”she quotes.

Serious impacts on children’s confidence and self-esteem

Paradoxically, the “Sephora Kids” phenomenon can also damage the confidence and self-esteem of young people. “It’s weakening a child to tell him that he already needs to improve and improve his image with beauty products. It shows him that he is not enough and that what he reflects can be a source of complexes”deplores Stéphanie Deparis Dusautois.

“He uses products to avoid being yourself at an age where you have to learn to be yourself and develop your personality”she also regrets. “It’s very depressogenic” for kids. While they have not yet entered the complicated period of adolescence, some can “can not stand” to be exposed to the gaze of others, often even more violent on social networks.

Relational and emotional problems (for life)?

Encouraging your child to show themselves on the networks can cause them serious relationship problems. He can understand that his parents’ happiness depends on the number of likes, views or subscribers he has on social networks. “It quantifies the love relationship”considers the specialist. “Am I enough if I only have X number of followers? Am I disappointing if my content is not liked?for example, some young Tiktokers might ask themselves.

This phenomenon can also create emotional problems in children, which some may carry throughout their lives. Their exploitation and their exposure on social networks make them believe that we only love them for their image. However, on Tik Tok (and sometimes in life), we are an ephemeral idol: “What to do when it stops or doesn’t work? What then remains in the eyes of the child and that of his parents?, asks Stéphanie Deparis Dusautois. The relationship with parents, on which a child can then base all his other relationships, “is not solid”she replies, before concluding: “He will certainly develop a deficiency and an emotional dependence”.

Thanks to Stéphanie Deparis Dusautois for answering our questions. You can find his book Children’s mental and emotional health with Koalo by clicking on this link.